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Region EURAFSWA Installations Complete Exercise Reliant Challenge

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS121018-06
10/18/2012

From Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Navy installations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East completed training exercise Reliant Challenge 2013, Oct. 18, which tested the shore establishment's ability to meet operational support requirements during contingencies.

Reliant Challenge 2013 was the final of four major emergency management and anti-terrorism force protection exercises held by Navy Region, Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia this year.

"This exercise, our most complex yet, was designed to be a challenging scenario. We tested our ability to support warfighters during operations, respond to threats at our bases, and manage emergency resources simultaneously," said Tracey Murdock, region director of training and readiness.

Region headquarters staff in Naples, Italy, worked remotely with Navy installation personnel based in Spain, Italy, Greece, Djibouti, and Bahrain. Crisis action teams and emergency operators rehearsed command-post communication and planning processes that enable Navy installations to support U.S. and allied forces effectively.

"We really had great training at our installation here in Naples," said Steven Ursell, installation training officer. "We had a lot of new people in the Emergency Operations Center who learned what it means to contribute to our mission of sustaining the warfighter. We were a fully functioning team by exercise's end."

Upon the exercise's conclusion, participants and evaluators shared ideas for refining command-post procedures in crisis situations.

"In crisis situations we need good communication to understand what is happening," said exercise participant Chief Personnel Specialist Laura McDonald. "We have to work together quickly to figure out what resources are needed and how to deliver them."

"It's about being ready," said Murdock. "We need to support our operational forces and protect our people and facilities no matter what. Exercises like Reliant Challenge prepare us to do that."